The Metasonix R-55 Thyratron VCO Arrives, But Offensive Names And Artwork Are Missing In Action

CDM’s Peter Kirngot the scoop on the latest tube-powered beast from Metasonix. We were busy writing about the other 80 bajillion 2012 NAMM Show leaks this year.

If you’re not familiar with Metasonix, they specialize in vacuum-tube powered analog synth gear. The Metasonix R-55 Thyratron VCO is the latest in their line of modules for Eurorack modular synthesizers.

Details on the R-55 are to come – but the Metasonix R-55 Thyratron VCO is going to be an exclusive of Big City Music. Shipment is expected by May 2012.

While the R-55 Thyratron VCO looks and sounds unique, we’re wondering where the offensive names and artwork are this year. Usually at NAMM time, Metasonix head Eric Barbour is introducing something like the Fucking Fucker, the Assblaster, the Wretch Machine or the Scrotum Smasher.

Has Barbour run out of ways to offend the world? Or is he letting his sonic mangulators speak for themselves?

Here’s another demo of the R-55 Thyratron VCO, tracking with a Metasonix R-54 VCO:

Note that this is a prototype – official specs and pricing are to be announced.

Dropping the teenage crudity was long overdue. Many people do find that sort of thing offensive and I know that my wife would not have been happy if the kids were seeing things like that in my studio. It had to limit potential sales.